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ELN: Mesa County bucks statewide trend

Mesa County is poised to vote a straight Republican ticket, including backing long-shot congressional candidate Wayne Wolf, according to unofficial election results.

Local voters endorsed failed presidential candidate John McCain and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer even as statewide voters swung for their more liberal opponents.

Voters also shot down a series of tax increases and spending measures, including a 0.25 percent sale tax increase to fund a new public safety complex and a proposal to expand the Mesa County Commission.

The county’s conservative turn comes two years after the county came within five percentage points of backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter and Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo.

The county’s newfound red streak, however, is dependent on Collbran Republican ousting state Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, in their close race, which was not concluded as of 11:45 p.m. Tuesday night.